THE TOMMASO CANALE
COLLECTION
As we have seen from The Vigna Rionda Story, Tommaso Canale continued to produce both grapes
and wines from the vines that Davide Rosso’s grandfather, Amelio Canale, and his own father, Aldo
Canale, planted not long after World War II.
These wines, being Barolo, and above all, Serralunga Barolo, need to spend a lengthy period in cask
prior to being bottled. Consequently, at the time of his premature death, Tommaso Canale had a
number of vintages of Vigna Rionda still to be bottled.
In addition to acquiring the vineyard at Vigna Rionda, above
which is their family home, Davide and his mother, Ester
Canale Rosso, have selected a small quantity of Tommaso’s
wine from the 2007, 2008 and 2009 vintages with a view to
bottling a limited run of no more than 1,000 bottles of each
year. These will be offered to the market in the usual
manner, but with the traditional label used by Tommaso
Canale. With an original design dating back to the family’s
acquisition of Vigna Rionda in 1934, this label will differentiate
the wine from the rest of the Giovanni Rosso range and pay
our respects to one of Serralunga’s great characters, our
cousin Tommaso.
The 2011 vintage will mark the beginning of a new venture for Az. Agr. Giovanni Rosso.
With the vineyard reverting to the ownership of Ester in April of 2011, the opportunity exists for
Davide and Ester to write the next chapter in the history of the vineyard and the family’s connection
to it.
The first vintage of Vigna Rionda made by Davide at Az. Agr. Giovanni Rosso – 2011 – is to be
launched as a Future. It will be available in necessarily small quantities through our distributors
around the world.
BAROLO D.O.C.G. “VIGNA RIONDA”
Denomination: Barolo D.O.C.G. Vigna Rionda
Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 14.5% by vol
Production: Fewer than 900 bottles
Vineyard Characteristics
Soil, Aspect, Elevation: The soil is calcareous with the typical langa tufo grey marl, fully-South facing, 320m
Locality: In the heart of Serralunga d'Alba
Training: Guyot
Wine-Making
Grape-Harvest: Harvested by hand
Fermentation: Vinification was carried out in a stainless steel tank with ambient yeasts. The
fermentation took place over a period of around 6 weeks with regular punching-
down and Remontages Ageing: The wine was aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 36 months
Bottling: The wine was bottled without filtration
Description of Wine
Colour: Concentrated, bright Garnet
Bouquet: The nose shows typical Vigna Rionda characteristics for a warm year: violets, roses,
leather and tar with balsamic overtones, black fruit characteristics and notes of Alba
truffle
Taste: Classic Vigna Rionda flavours of black cherry and other dark fruits, spices, and even
black olive. 2007 was a warmer vintage, highlighting the interplay between power
and elegance that is the hallmark of this great vineyard. A very powerful and long-
lived wine, with a massive structure and a mineral core
Pairings: Stews, red meats and darker game such as Wild Boar.
Other Information
Total Acidity: 5.6 g / l
Sugar: < 1.0 g / l
pH: 3.6
Serving Temperature: 16 °-17 °C
Glasses: Burgundy balloons
grererererey y mamaaaarlrlrlrlrlr , , , , , fufufufufulllllllllyy--SoSoSoSoSSoututtttthh h fa
el tank wiwithth a ambmbieient
nd 6 weeks with regul
VINTAGE 2007
BAROLO D.O.C.G. “VIGNA RIONDA”
Denomination: Barolo D.O.C.G. Vigna Rionda
Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 14.0% by vol
Production: Fewer than 800 bottles
Vineyard Characteristics
Soil, Aspect, Elevation: The soil is calcareous with the typical langa tufo grey marl, fully-South facing, 320m
Locality: In the heart of Serralunga d'Alba
Training: Guyot
Wine-Making
Grape-Harvest: Harvested by hand
Fermentation: Vinification was carried out in a stainless steel tank with ambient yeasts. The
fermentation took place over a period of around 6 weeks with regular punching-
down and Remontages Ageing: The wine was aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 36 months
Bottling: The wine was bottled without filtration
Description of Wine
Colour: Concentrated, bright Garnet
Bouquet: A more aromatic nose in comparison to 2007: the emphasis is on the floral rather
than the fruity. Again, violets and roses, with classic leather and tar overtones,
bright, red, cherry fruit characteristics and notes of ‘Chino’
Taste: Bright, lifted red-cherry fruit flavours, with spicy notes and characteristic mineral
depth. The 2008 vintage highlights the ethereal side of Vigna Rionda, with hints of
tea leaf and dried fruit on the palate, leading into a beautifully balanced structure of
great depth and finesse
Pairings: Stews, red meats and darker game such as Wild Boar.
Other Information
Total Acidity: 5.9 g / l
Sugar: < 1.0 g / l
pH: 3.5
Serving Temperature: 16 °-17 °C
Glasses: Burgundy balloons
eyy y yyy mamarlrlllll, , ,, , fufufufufuullllllllllyyyyy--SoSSoututu h h hhhh fac
tank with ambmbieientn y
d 6 k ith l
VINTAGE 2008
BAROLO D.O.C.G. “VIGNA RIONDA”
Denomination: Barolo D.O.C.G. Vigna Rionda
Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 14.5% byvol
Production: Around 1,000 bottles
Vineyard Characteristics
Soil, Aspect, Elevation: The soil is calcareous with the typical langa tufo grey marl, fully-South facing, 320m
Locality: In the heart of Serralunga d'Alba
Training: Guyot
Wine-Making
Grape-Harvest: Harvested by hand
Fermentation: Vinification was carried out in a stainless steel tank with ambient yeasts. The
fermentation took place over a period of between 5 and 6 weeks with regular
punching-down and Remontages Ageing: The wine was aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 36 months
Bottling: The wine will be bottled without filtration
Description of Wine
Colour: Concentrated, bright Garnet
Bouquet: Where 2008 highlighted classical elegance as a vintage, 2009 showcases the power
of Vigna Rionda. All the elements are there – the typical rose petals, balsamic
overtones, black fruit and notes of leather and tar – but with a richer, fuller
expression than the 2008
Taste: The 2009 Vigna Rionda shows big, bold flavours, with the black cherry, spice and
earthy, truffle and mushroom flavours to the fore. This is a very powerful expression
of Vigna Rionda, massively structured yet elegant. A fitting valediction for our dear
cousin, Tommaso
Pairings: Stews, red meats and darker game such as Wild Boar.
Other Information
Total Acidity: 5.8 g / l
Sugar: <1.0 g / l
pH: 3.6
Serving Temperature: 16 °-17 °C
Glasses: Burgundy balloons
ey y y y y mamamaaarlrlrlrlrl, , , , , fufufufufuf lllllllllyyyyyy-SoSoututtttth hh fa
tank with ambient
VINTAGE 2009
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
2007 Tommaso Canale Barolo Vigna Rionda Wine Advocate #197, Oct 2011.
Antonio Galloni 92 Points.
The Tommaso Canale 2007 Barolo Vigna Rionda reveals lovely inner perfume and a sensual
personality. Rose petals, licorice, tar, sweet cherries and spices are some of the nuances that
emerge from the glass. The tannins are firm yet well integrated…mid-weight, gracious style...It will
be interesting to see how the wine develops over the coming years...Where Davide Rosso goes
from here with his Rionda bottling is limited only by his own ambition.
Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.
2008 Giovanni Rosso Barolo “Vigna Rionda” Tommaso Canale Wine Advocate #203, Oct 2012.
Antonio Galloni 92+ Points.
The 2008 Barolo Vigna Rionda Tommaso Canale stands out immediately for its textural elegance
and finesse. At once silky yet deep, rich and intense, the Vigna Rionda shows all the qualities of
which this site is rightly revered as the Holy Grail among Barolo lovers. Dried roses, tar, licorice
and sweet red berries wrap around the finish. I can't wait to taste this in another few years…it is
quite obvious that the potential in this fruit is huge.
Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.
e Barolo Vigna Rionda 11.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
BAROLO VIGNA RIONDA TOMMASO CANALE 2007:
5 GRAPPOLI, DUEMILAVINI 2012
“Austere, noble, displaying the best characteristics of Serralunga: depth,
structure and elegance. It has a nose of cherry, licorice, fruit compote, herbs
and nutmeg, with a mint ‘decoration’. In the mouth, the wine shows
structure and precision, lovely development, ripe tannins and a round, long
flavour. Drink from 2015.”
BAROLO VIGNA RIONDA TOMMASO CANALE 2008:
5 GRAPPOLI, BIBENDA 2013
“An amazing Vigna Rionda, classic garnet, full of hints of grass, hay, camomile,
rose hips, licorice, pepper and tar, then scents of cherry and raspberry. A
full and soft palate with good tannins, flavour and a long finish. A cerebral wine,
for dedicated enthusiasts.”
“Another impressive series from Davide Rosso, who now has an even more
prestigious offering: the premature death of his cousin Tommaso Canale that meant
he inherited part of the legendary Cru of Vigna Rionda in Serralunga d’Alba. These
are the grapes that, until 1993, were used by Bruno Giacosa in his mythical Barolo
Collina Rionda.”
Daniel Thomases - 94 Points, Guida Oro I Vini di Veronelli 2012
“Only eight hundred bottles, alas, of the Barolo Vigna Rionda 2008, and we will have
to wait until the release of the 2011 (apparently already of excellent quality) for a
more or less normal production. We await this wine with due philosophical
patience; meanwhile there's always the great (to put it mildly) Barolo Cerretta that
this year, unlike last year, beat La Serra to the wire.”
Daniel Thomases – 95 Points, Guida Oro I Vini di Veronelli 2013
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
‘PIEMONTE’
Merete Bø & Ole Martin Alfsen, Norway
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
Dagens Næringsliv, Norway
17th September 2011
Serralungas bølle Davide Rosso har det som plommen i egget. Vinmarken han omtaler som «Barolos Romanée-Conti», har endelig
kommet tilbake til familiens eie.
Ole Martin Alfsen , Merete Bø
Publisert: 17.09.2011 - 11:13 Oppdatert: 17.09.2011 - 11:13
Det ene hektaret med Vigna Rionda kan for alvor plassere Azienda Agricola Giovanni Rosso i toppskiktet av Serralunga,
og dermed i toppskiktet av Barolo. Arven kom fra Tommaso Canale, Davide Rossos tremenning, som døde i desember.
Mange har ønsket å kjøpe hans 2,2 hektar med Vigna Rionda. Tidligere har Tommaso solgt sin legendariske vin til
Bruno Giacosa, frem til 1993, og siden til Roagna, til og med 2006.
Men nå er det opprinnelige hektaret som Davides mor Ester Rosso, tidligere Ester Canale, i 1970 måtte selge til sin
fetter og Tommasos far, Aldo Canale, tilbake i familiens hender. Resten av de 2,2 hektarene gikk til Guido Porro og
Ettore Germano.
– Dessverre var mange av de gamle vinstokkene i marken i så dårlig forfatning at vi måtte rive opp en stor del. Selv
syns jeg det var kjempetrist, men siden Tommaso har vært syk i noen år, har vinmarkene måtte lide. De fleste vi tok
bort var slitne dolcetto-stokker, som jeg heller ønsker å erstatte med nebbiolo. De fleste gamle nebbiolo-plantene fikk
vi reddet, sier Davide.
Hundreårs historie
Selv om familien Rosso har en over 100 år lang historie, er det ikke lenge de har tappet vin under egen etikett. Åtte
gode cru i Serralunga har lenge vært i familiens eie, men de solgte en lang periode frukten videre til større aktører,
som for eksempel Fontanafredda. På 80-tallet fikk regionens viner økt oppmerksomhet, prisene steg og kvalitet ga
høyere pris. Giovanni ønsket å produsere enda bedre frukt, noe som førte til en omstrukturering i vinmarker og
vinmarksarbeidet. Tidlig på 90-tallet begynte familien selv å ta ansvar for fermentering av vinen, for så å selge den til
lagring til de samme aktørene.
Men Davide Rosso ønsket å ta skrittet helt ut: Familien skulle ta ansvar for hele prosessen og tappe familiens grøde
under eget navn. Han jobbet for flere produsenter i Langhe-regionen for å erverve seg kunnskapen han trengte. Dette
førte ham også etterhvert ut av regionen og videre ut av landet – til Frankrike.
Han praktiserte i Alsace og Champagne, men det var i Burgund bitene falt på plass. Etter opphold hos både Jean Grivot
og Denis Mortet, ble det klart for Davide hvordan han ønsket å jobbe:
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
Dagens Næringsliv, Norway
– Jeg vil lage vin av vinmarker og druer. Det er cru-en, druen og terroiret som lager vinen, ikke vinmakeren, jeg hjelper
bare til.
Foto: Mikaela Berg TOK ANSVAR: Tidligere solgte Rosso-familien frukten til større aktører på
90 POENG: Barolo Vigna Rionda 2007. markedet, men da Davide (bildet) overtok driften, tok familien ansvaret for
hele prosessen. Nå tapper de under eget navn. Foto: Sune Eriksen
47671 Barolo Cerretta 2005
Giovanni Rosso
Piemonte, Italia
Kroner 353,80, bestilling
92 poeng
Gaia Wine & Spirits
Dufter aromatisk av fenalår, tre, nøtter og mandler. Stramme og heftige tanniner på smak kombinert med strukturert
og tørr finish. Slank og elegant frukt. Drikk om fem til ti år. Passer til lam.
94083 Barolo Vigna Rionda 2007
Tommasso Canale/Giovanni Rosso
Piemonte, Italia
Kroner 585,60, bestilling
90 poeng
Gaia Wine & Spirits
Spennende. Davide Rosso, som lager bedre og bedre vin, har overtatt deler av Vigna Rionda, men vil frem til 2010
tappe under Tommaso Canale, tidligere eiers navn. 2007 er som så mange i årgangen innsmigrende og saftig sursøt i
frukten, delikat og krydret med leskende mineral finish. Kombinerer kraft og eleganse. Sitter lenge i munnen. Tøff i
strukturen, mulig å angripe i dag, men vil bli langt bedre etter ti år. Passer til lam, marmorert storfe, rødvinskokt kjøtt
og gryter med trøfler og sopp.